Synopses & Reviews
Soon after the World Trade Center towers fell on 9/11, it became clear the United States would invade Afghanistan. Writer and This American Life” radio producer Scott Carrier decided to go there too. He wanted to see for himself: who are these fanatics, the fundamentalists, the Taliban and the like? What do they want?
In his new book, Prisoner of Zion, Carrier writes about his adventures, but also about the bigger problem. Having grown up among Mormons in Salt Lake City, he argues it will never work to attack the true believers head-on. The faithful thrive on persecution. Somehow, he thinks, we need to find a wayinside ourselvesto rise above fear and anger.
Prisoner of Zion is Scott Carriers second collection of dramatic tales and essays.
Review
Praise for
Prisoner of Zion"A collection of essays centered on the authors experiences of encountering religious fanaticism among the Taliban in Afghanistan and Mormons in Utah." Kirkus
Review
Praise for
Prisoner of Zion"In a series of remarkable essays, Carrier, raised among Mormons, noted similarities in the beliefs and practices of the Taliban and the Utah church, stressing the fundamentalist pledge of obedience to authority, and revelations and visions from God to a "Chosen people." Carrier is alternately humorous and serious about the reports from Afghanistan, its people, its culture, and the heavy fighting." Publishers Weekly
"Engrossing stories of travel interspersed with historical vignettes and the author's private struggles to argue for a move away from persecution of believers." Kirkus
Synopsis
An NPR journalist's riveting exploration of religious fanaticism, terrorism, persecution, and confronting one's own beliefs in a post 9/11 world.
Soon after the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11 2001, it became clear that the United States would invade Afghanistan. Writer and This American Life producer Scott Carrier decided to go there, too.
"In a series of remarkable essays, Carrier, raised among Mormons, noted similarities in the beliefs and practices of the Taliban and the Utah church, stressing the fundamentalist pledge of obedience to authority, and revelations and visions from God to a 'Chosen people.'" Carrier needed to see and experience the Taliban for himself: who are these fanatics, these fundamentalists? And what do they want? (Publishers Weekly).
Throughout these "engrossing stories of travel interspersed with historical vignettes and the author's private struggles," Carrier writes about his adventures--sometime harrowing, sometimes humorous, and always revealing--but also about the bigger problem. Having grown up among the resolute of the Salt Lake City church, he argues it will never work to attack the true believers head-on. The faithful thrive on persecution. Somehow, he thinks, we need to find a way--inside ourselves--to rise above fear and anger (Kirkus Reviews)
About the Author
Scott Carrier is a writer, photographer, and radio producer. He was born, raised and still lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, and he teaches journalism at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His print articles and photos have appeared in
Harpers,
Esquire,
GQ,
Rolling Stone and
Mother Jones. His radio stories have been broadcast by NPR
All Things Considered, NPR
Day to Day, APM
The Story,
Savvy Traveler,
Hearing Voices from NPR, and PRI
This American Life.